The season is marching on.
Thoughts will soon turn to dealer days, roadshows, and the autumn industry exhibitions.
And for us here at Service Dealer preparations are well in hand for the annual Conference which is taking place on Thursday 16th November, once again at the Oxford Belfry Hotel. Entitled The Challenge of Change: Embracing & Adapting To A Changing Market, you can find out details about what’s going on and how you can be there via our website.
One of the most anticipated elements of that day is the prestigious Dealer Of The Year Awards ceremony which takes place at the venue that evening. As ever it’ll make a thrilling and enjoyable end to the day’s proceedings.
The Awards ceremony has established itself as an important date in the industry diary. It gives an opportunity to network, share stories, discuss business challenges and most of all share a delightful evening with friends and colleagues.
Now for the important bit: You could be a winner this year!
There is still time to make sure your dealership is in the running for one of these highly regarded accolades which recognise excellence in the independent outdoor machinery dealer sector. We are taking nominations via our website until Friday September 22nd – so don’t delay.
Our core dealer awards this year will be presented to the:
- GARDEN MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
- PROFESSIONAL TURFCARE DEALER OF THE YEAR
- FARM MACHINERY DEALER OF THE YEAR
- FORESTRY EQUIPMENT DEALER OF THE YEAR
- ATV / QUAD DEALER OF THE YEAR
There are two ways for a dealership to be in the running for these honours:
- Manufacturers – nominate your dealers you feel best deserve this public recognition!
- Dealers – you know how good you are, so nominate your own dealership!
Once your dealership is in the running for the Dealer of the Year awards, assessment will be made via feedback from the most important people to your business - your customers. We will send you a link which you could email to your customers which will take them to a page on our website where they can submit comments in favour of your dealership. We will also provide you with a logo you can add to your own website and a Word document you can print off and hand out at your premises.
Winning one of the Dealer Of The Year titles would give you ample opportunity to gain PR in your local press and to promote yourselves to new and existing customers. National industry recognition really is something to shout about.
Other awards
As well as the Dealer of the Year titles, which will include a new prize for Overall Dealer of the Year, this year we shall once again be presenting two honours recognising key members of your dealership’s team.
These are:
2017 STAR OF THE DEALERSHIP AWARD
Dealers are asked to nominate a member of staff from the sales, parts, service or support team who have demonstrated exceptional skills, commitment to customer service or any other compelling reason during the 2017 season - and who are deserving of industry recognition.
2017 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Similarly, we wish to recognise an Apprentice who, during the 2017 season has demonstrated the desire, willingness and ability to progress within the dealership and the industry.
You can nominate deserving candidates for both these awards on our website
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The judging panel will once again this year be paying special honour to an individual who has made a significant contribution to our industry over the course of a distinguished career. The person will be following in the footsteps of Ron Miller and Graham Dale who were presented with this title in recent years.
Head over to the 2017 Conference and Awards section of the Service Dealer website where you’ll find all the information you need to get your dealership in the running for one of these major prizes.
p.s Thanks ever so much to Chris Biddle for holding the fort here last week with his superb, thought-provoking editorial.
